Stewart Reuben writes about the significance to the congress of the Hastings Pier –
The pier burnt down on Tuesday 5 October 2010. Many players will remember that the ballroom on the pier is where the Hastings International Chess Congress took place for some years. It was a large hall, but not ideal. It swayed underfoot depending on the tides.
The congress then spent time at the YMCA, while the present-daycongress is held at the Horntye Park Sports Centre which is unquestionably the best regular venue for a chess event in Britain.
Still, one breathes a nostalgic sigh for the pier …
LINKS >>
The Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust | Pier history | BBC coverage of the fire | Hastings Pier at the Hastings Chronicle